Actually, Hofbauer is not only the Pope's neighbor, but also the caretaker of the former Cardinal Josef Ratzinger's house and a friend. That was why he rejected the offer made to him. "I cannot fall in disgrace with the Holy Father," explained Hofbauer.
Twenty-eight years ago nobody knew about the Hofbauer family. In 1977, when Regensburg 's well-known Professor of Theology, Josef Ratzinger, was suddenly appointed Bishop of Munich and Freising, he asked Rupert Hofbauer and his wife Teresa to take care of his house and garden.
However, as of April 19, 2005, the day when the new Pope was elected, some of the light shined on the Successor of Peter has reached the Hofbauers as well.
Hofbauer, a retired Chief for the Fire Department of Regensburg and his wife, began receiving a large number of Benedict admirers into their home and offered them memories of the new Pontiff. Among the visitors have been several American nuns, Vatican officials, and Polish faithful, all eager to see the place where the Successor of St. Peter used to live.
At the time this story written, the house is abuzz with activity. In the house's garden there are small earth mounds, a yellow hose on the grass, a small wheelbarrow filled with mulch, and a shovel, all of them indicators of the work being done at the house prior to its owner's arrival. "The person responsible for the house arrangements is my wife because she knows what the Holy Father likes", says Hofbauer smoking a cigarette.
A pair of alder bushes wait to be planted, as well as some rosebushes, and clematis that will bloom in lilac colors exactly during the Pope's visit.
In addition, a painter from Pentling, a former altar boy of Cardinal Ratzinger, painted the house just before Easter, and received a personal thank you note from the Pope. A few students from Weiden and Amberg have built a small gate. The terrace has been paved as has the house entrance, where a small fish-shaped mosaic of tiles, a symbol used by the early Christians, has been carefully laid.
The day before the arrival of the Holy Father a flower carpet with the pontifical coat of arms will be placed at the garage entrance.
"I hope they will let me open the door myself" Hofbauer said, adding with a chuckle that "the Pope holds the keys of heaven in his coat of arms, but not those of his own house".
Hofbauer also has a special gift for the Pope. Several months ago Hofbauer placed some honeycomb in the garden and has just collected 35 pounds of honey from one of them. He hopes to present his special gift to the Pope and his secretaries, noting that Benedict has a bit of a sweet tooth.
Two other inhabitants of the Hofbauer's home are also eagerly awaiting Benedict XVI, they are Ingo and Chico , a golden retriever and a cat which once belonged to the Pope.
"Surely, the Pope misses his two pets" assures Hofbauer. "Every time someone from Bavaria visits him in Rome , he asks how the animals are doing."
